It’s been a tumultuous year for the South Indian film industry, with several high-profile legal disputes dominating the headlines in 2026. Issues ranging from bitter censorship disputes and copyright infringements to landmark moral rights lawsuits and messy divorces have dominated the entertainment landscape. Notably, Thalapathy Vijay’s last political thriller “Jana Nayagan” faced a severe release delay, while “Drishyam 3” was locked in a bitter copyright battle over its Telugu remake rights. We take a detailed look at five of the most important courtroom dramas that changed the landscape of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam cinema in the first half of the year.
‘Jana Nayagan’ censorship battle delays Vijay’s final film
Thalapathy Vijay’s last film before entering politics, “Jana Nayagan,” has hit a tough censorship roadblock, marking the biggest legal setback of the year. The film’s release was postponed indefinitely after the producers failed to secure official permission, forcing them to seek legal recourse. Pirated footage of the unreleased film has reportedly leaked online, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the highly anticipated film.
Ravi Mohan and Aarti Ravi’s divorce case filed in High Court
The ongoing divorce proceedings between actors Ravi Mohan and Aarti Ravi remain a major focus of discussion throughout the year. The legal battle intensified after Arti filed an interim maintenance petition, claiming that the actor had failed to fund his children’s education since April 2025. The Madras High Court rejected the adjournment plea and directed Ravi Mohan to challenge the alimony dispute in the Family Welfare Court.
‘Drishyam 3’ mired in copyright dispute over Telugu copyright
Drishyam 3 has managed to hit theaters despite the ongoing legal dispute over the Telugu remake rights. Rajkumar Theaters Pvt. Ltd. filed a suit in the Madras High Court seeking protection of its adaptation rights, seeking an injunction against the unauthorized Telugu version. Although the court issued notices to the parties concerned stating that any future Telugu remake deal would be subject to the final verdict, the controversy did not put a damper on the film’s release. The Malayalam original starring Mohanlal was a huge success at the box office.
Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, Naga Chaitanya and others fight for personality rights
In 2026, the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies has become a pressing issue facing the entertainment industry. Well-known actors including Allu Arjun, Jr NTR and Naga Chaitanya have moved the Delhi High Court seeking protection of their personality rights. Through these legal actions, celebrities aim to prevent the unauthorized commercial use of their names, voices, likenesses and AI-generated digital clones.
AMMA controversy sparking resignations and new controversy
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) faces its worst crisis yet after its president and all 17 executive committee members resigned en masse over a dispute over financial transparency. The fallout sparked heated debate at the organization’s annual general meeting, highlighted serious accountability issues and forced sweeping structural changes within the organization.
